"The Way You Do the Things You Do" is a 1964 hit single by American group the Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label. Written by Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Bobby Rogers, the single was the Temptations' first charting single on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking in the Top 20 at number eleven; it also went to number one on the Cash Box R&B chart.[1] The song has been an American Top 40 hit in four successive decades, from the 1960s to the 1990s. A version by Hall & Oates featuring Temptation members Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1986.[2] A cover version by British reggae band UB40 hit number six in the U.S. in 1990.
American recording artist Rita Coolidge covered "The Way You Do the Things You Do," and it was released in 1978 by A&M Records as the third single from her most successful album, Anytime...Anywhere (1977). In the US, the single reached number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 20 on the Record World Singles Chart and number 18 on the Cash Box Top 100. It also reached number 16 in Canada. It is ranked as the 151st biggest Canadian hit of 1978.[7]
In 1985, a live version (part of a medley with "My Girl") was released by Hall & Oates featuring David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks, reaching number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 12 on the Adult Contemporary chart, number 40 on the R&B chart[12] and number 24 on Radio & Records.[13] The single was nominated for a Grammy Award.[2]
Reception
John Leland at Spin said, "This record is pretty wonderful and it's definitely better than most H & O or Temps fare, but it also bores me in ways it shouldn't. If there was any emoting going on in the performance, it didn't translate onto wax."[14]
"The Way You Do the Things You Do" was covered by the English reggae band UB40. It was released as the sixth single from their ninth album, Labour of Love II (1990). The song was released in 1990 by DEP International and Virgin Records in the majority of European countries.
Track listings
7-inch single
"The Way You Do the Things You Do" (3:03)
"Splugen" (4:41)
CD single
"The Way You Do the Things You Do" (3:03)
"Splugen" (4:41)
Maxi-CD
"The Way You Do the Things You Do" (Jazzy Club mix) (6:11)
"The Way You Do the Things You Do" (Paradise mix) (4:07)
Chronology(The band's name history: The Primettes 1959–1961 / The Supremes 1961–1967 / Diana Ross & The Supremes 1967–1970 / The Supremes 1970 / Diana Ross & The Supremes 1970 / The Supremes 1970–)